By Steve Crum

Allsion Janney’s literally gritty portrayal is reason enough to see Lou, an action thriller that is also an engaging character study of the title character. It turns out very soon into the story that Lou Adell (Janney) is a cross between a typical Liam Neeson hero and Rambo.

Indeed it is the hard-edged Lou who lives alone in the wilderness of Oscar Island in Washington. It is Lou who reminds her nearby tenant Hannah to pay her due rent. It is Lou whose heroic demeanor kicks in immediately after Hannah’s little girl, Vee, is kidnapped. 

The story, by Maggie Cohn and Jack Stanley, grabs immediately as we get an idea of Lou’s personality—including her despair. Once Vee is taken, the pace for from rapid to breakneck. Aided by Vee’s mother, Hannah Dawson (Jurnee Smollett), the two forge through dense forest and waterways. Lou’s tracking and survival skills are akin to military commando precision (with good reason—but no spoiler from me here!). 

Just to add vim to the vigor, the kidnapper (played by Logan Marshall-Green) is a war criminal and ex-Green Beret. So it becomes mini-Army versus mini-Army, per se. Lou has a secret that greatly adds to her prowess. Perhaps it is needless to say, but the resulting violence is therefore elevated. This movie is definitely “R” for bloodshed. 

Directed by Anna Foerster (Underworld: Blood Wars), the taut film showcases Lou as an imperfect action hero with social and psychological issues. 

Mention should be made of Michael McDonough’s impressive cinematography. The wilderness depiction as well as the climactic lighthouse sequence particularly work well. 

I would also rate Janney’s character a “C” for caked-on dirt, head to feet. 

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GRADE on an A-F Scale: B